Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group

This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.

1,014 Members
2,048 Posts
0 Online
Mental Health
/ Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group

I could use some advice

kl31
kl31
I have a son that is 8 years old and possibly has ADHD or a mood disorder. We are not sure if this was caused from the 5 years he was on Singulair or not, but that is when it started. When we took him off it got better but not completely. We have tried different meds, and every stimulant we tried made him angry. He has a hard time sitting still and makes strange faces often, kind of silly faces but some are just strange. Small things can set him off or make him cry and than he can be perfect. At one time we tried him on Intuniv but it didn't last long because he was so tired. I'm wondering if we tried it again and gave it at night if it would be ok. It seems like not much else really seems to work, but sometimes there is slight improvement. Don't want to put him back on meds because he has been off of them for awhile now, but I want to get control of his crying, whining, and emotional behavior so that he can have more friends. Anyone have any advice? Did anyone else's kids make strange faces?
deleted_user
deleted_user
my son did and they said he had tourettes symdrom
deleted_user
deleted_user
It sounds like you son has a tic- which can be caused by tourettes, but there are also kids who have tics that are just tics. Some medications for ADD/ADHD can bring out a tic as well. Both my boys have ADHD, my oldest chews on everything! He was much worse before medication, now he only chews his nails but they are down to the point of bleeding and he still does it. My youngest seems to change what he does- when he learned to snap his fingers he was doing it constantly for a few weeks, when he found out his neck would pop if he moved it a certain way he did that for weeks. My sister's son is 16 and has a tic in his face but nothing else happening for him.
My youngest is on concerta and a mood stabilizer- which I don't really think does anything. He too is whiny and cries easy- it does seem to be less now than a year ago- he still gets over the top upset though- will cry not because he is hurt so much as he is mad about what just happened to him- I call him my drama queen!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, We tried Intunive 1mg at night (my son is 15) and it made him very angry and sad. We took him off it quickly. He is on Abilify which is helping with the angry and anxiety. But he's gaining weight so it's not great either. We are sticking with it as it's the only thing that's helped with his mood. We will address his ADHD once he's feeling better. We've tried 6 other meds and it's been a long haul. Still not out of the woods and need support from other moms/parents.
Is your son's crying due to depression or anxiety? Where do you think it's coming from??
kl31
kl31
He simply cries easily...he is a drama queen also :) He has been on the Intuniv for 5 days (1 mg) and it seems to be doing some good. We will wait and see. The faces he makes aren't constant...they are just when ever he wants to express something. I'm hoping that if we stick with the Intuniv it will help, but not sure if I want to step up to the 2mg that you are supposed to do in week 2. Afraid it may make him very tired, which could make him emotional.
Thanks to everyone for your help!
deleted_user
deleted_user
My son is in an early intervention program at school that teaches him how to handle himself and his emotions. He is on mood stabilizers as well, which I have been cutting back on because I never saw a difference in his behaviour when on them or off them. I think the class does much more than the medication ever did, which makes me happy. It might help your son if he could get into some sort of program like that, maybe through counselling etc. Teaching them and giving them the tools they need to be able to deal with things better is a huge help. In my case I was just out of patients when it came to dealing with him and having people who are trained to work with these kids and really understand them has made a big difference.
kl31
kl31
I understand being out of patience. I feel like I barely have any left, which isn't fair to him either. He does see the counselor at school and they do different behavioral things with a group of kids. She says that he does really well. He started Intuniv and was doing well this week until today, but the dose is supposed to go up tomorrow so we will see how it goes. It's just nice to be on here and see I'm not the only one out there feeling this way!